My fellow authors and I often have local book signings. Sometimes we travel halfway across the state, sometimes it’s in our local area. It may be at craft fairs, book stores, or other venues.

Everyone is so nice to us; the Whistle Stop Mercantile Bookstore in Douglas gives us free coffee and delicious lunches. River of Life Church used to welcome authors' book signings and conferences, the Casper College OLLI program sponsored a book signing this spring, as did Fort Caspar. An open house for a tack store also sponsored a book signing in an indoor corral, where we also got to watch a cold brand applied to a horse! Not all of these venues require a commission on what we sell. Wind City Books in downtown Casper is also hosting book signings for local authors.

The camaraderie is fantastic amongst our group and with the store owners. The writers I know are incredibly giving and helpful to each other. Our two different critique groups, which meet monthly, encourage and share things learned in publishing and other writing endeavors, which are helpful to the group.

I would encourage anyone wishing to be a writer of anything—books, articles, poetry, memoirs, etc.—to join or form a critique group, get a writing partner, and begin attending writers’ conferences.  You will learn and meet incredible people who will inspire you.

Are there nasty critics out there? Of course. Can some make you want to close your notebook and walk away? Indubitably!

You will need to draw on inner strength, develop thicker skin, and evaluate whether you agree with what they say, consider its value, or if you will take their advice after weighing it. And you will grow in your talent and personality. But you will meet more kind and helpful writers than naysayers. I have, and I encourage you to, become a writer! Even if it’s only to personally journal. You’ll be glad you did.